activate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make active or more active

   You should activate that old file.

2. 2
   verb

   to make substances radioactive

   I activated the materials two hours ago.

3. 3
   verb

   to aerate sewage so as to favor the growth of organisms that decompose organic matter

   We activated the sewage.

4. 4
   verb

   to make more adsorptive

   I activate a metal.

5. 5
   verb

   to put in motion or move to act

   I activated the plan.

6. 6
   verb

   To encourage development or induce increased activity; to stimulate.

   activate the economy

7. 7
   verb

   To put a device, mechanism (alarm etc.) or system into action or motion; to trigger, to actuate, to set off, to enable.

   The pranksters activated the fire alarm by spraying deodorant next to it.

8. 8
   verb

   To organize or create a military unit or station.

   A new squadron was activated.

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂eǵ- Proto-Indo-European *-eti Proto-Indo-European *h₂éǵeti Proto-Italic *agō Latin agō Proto-Indo-European *-wósder. Latin -īvus ▲ Ancient Greek ἐνεργητῐκός (energētĭkós)sl. Latin āctīvusbor. Old French actifbor. Middle English actyf English active Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātuslbor. English -ate English activate From active + -ate.